Jar cap applying and removing device



Aug. 20, 1946. K. F; SEALS 2,406,167

JAR CAP APPISIIIIYING AND REMOVING DEVICE Filed A aril :5, 1944 l g Inventor ,8] wig Patented Aug. 20, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFF-ICE JAR CAP APPLYING AND REMOVING DEVICE KyrleIFrancis Seals, Lamar, Colo.

Application April 3, 1944, Serial No. 529,258

- 2 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to implements and devices such as are expressly designed and constructed for applying and removing screw caps, that is, caps of the type used on various types of containers, particularly so called Mason and similar jars.

As the preceding statement of the invention implies, I am aware that many different types of so-called wrenches and similar devices have been devised to facilitate the step of either applying or removing screw caps. The present invention pertains to what is believed to be a novel and improved structure for accomplishing the same general purpose, the same being outstanding, comparatively speaking, in that it grips the lid or cap in such a way as to support the entire load and to leave the hands free to embrace the jar or container, thus simplifying and rendering the results more reliable and satisfactory.

More specifically, the invention has to do with an especially constructed wall-type hanger bracket or fixture, said fixture serving as an appropriate adapter for the cap gripping noose or chain, whereby to not only securely embrace the cap and support the load but to angularly position the jar for convenient and expeditious handling.

A further feature of the invention is thought to reside in the provision of a novel cap embracing chain constructed of flat pivotally connected links, the links being provided with laterally arranged toothed cap-engaging grips, the latter coming into engaging contact with the cap, and the links resting on the crown of the cap to insure an effective clamping action while minimizing the likelihood of crushing either the cap or the jar neck.

Other features and advantages will, become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying illustrative drawing,

In the drawing, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation showing the wall bracket, the adjustable jar cap embracing and clamping means thereon, and the manner in which the device is used.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the bracket and jar embracing chain and associated features.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the special link chain.

or chain 1 l.

which is securely fastened to the wall or other support 6. It also includes a lateral shelf flange 2, the latter being at an approximate obtuse angle to the Wall 6. As brought out in Figure 2, the shelf flange is provided with'selectively usable keyhole slots 8 and 9, these to accommodate the headed studs it on the adjacent ends of the noose A crank l2 having an appropriate hand-grip is pivotally mounted on the shelf flange l and this is provided with a crank arm I3 underlying said flange and pivotally and operatively connected to the adjacent end link of the chain as brought out to advantage in dotted lines in Figure 2. It will be noticed that the hand-grip The wall fixture or bracket is denoted by the portion of the crank is disposed at an elevation well above the plane of the chain, this to provide desired clearance and appropriate operation of the parts.

The chain is made up of flat links 14 pivotally connected together, certain of said links having integral depending lugs l5 and said lugs being provided with anti-slipping teeth and serving as grips for the screw cap IS on the jar H,

The cap embracing and gripping ch'ain device or unit is of a, self-sustainingtype in that the links I4 are of rigid metal and have their, adjacent ends overlapping and pivotally connected together. One end of the chain is provided with the aforementioned headed stud 10 which is slipped into either one of the selected keyhole slots 8 or 9 as the case may be, this to partially adjust the chain to the size of cap being handled at the time. The opposite end link is connected to the crank arm I3 on the hand-crank [2 as shown in Figure 2. The adjacent links coil around in a return bend fashion and the crank arm I3 is turned to a point beyond dead-center, whereby this end of the chain is locked, as it were.

In practice, the device is used as shown in Figure 1, the links M resting on the top or crown of the cap it and the gripping lugs I5 engaging the cap at circumferentially spaced points. Figure 1 being a comparatively small sectional illustration, those lugs which face the observer have been omitted for clearness of illustration.

It is evident that with the rim of cap securely held between the coacting lugs and the chain securely tightened and properly adjusted, the links provide thrust receptive abutmentss The jar is thus Wholly and completely supported, takin the weight oil of the users hands. This leaves both hands free to embrace the jar and to turn it in a direction to dislodge and unscrew the cap therefrom. The obtuse angling of the 7 to which the invention relates will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the invention after considering the description in connection with the drawings. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Minor changes in the shape, size and arrangegether. and provided with lateral toothed cap en-.

gaging lugs. v

ment of details coming within the field of inven- 7 tion claimed may be resorted to in tice, if desired.

actual practhe invention, What is claimed Having described as new is: V V

1. In a screw cap applyingand removingdevice of the class described, a wall fixture includ-' ing a plate having selectively usable keeper slots,

a hand crank mounted for operation on said plate and provided with a crank arm, a chain unit, one of the end links of said chain unit being connected with said crank arm, the opposite end link being provided with a headed stud for selective usein the slots, said chain links being rigid, overlapping one another, pivotally connected to- 2. In a screw cap applying and removing device of the class described, a fixture embodying a vertically elongated attaching flange adapted to be fastened to a vertical relatively fixed support, and a lateral flange at the upper end of said flange, said lateral flange being at an approximate obtuse angle to said attaching flange and being provided with selectively usable keyhole slots adjacent one end, a hand'crankinounted for operation on said lateral flange at the opposite end thereof, said hand crank being provided with -a crank arm and said crank arm being located beneath the adjacent underlying surface of said lateral flange, a chainunit, one of the end links of said chain unit being connected with said crank arm, the opposite end link being provided with a headed stud for selective reception in said keyhole slots, the links of said chain between said end links being rigid, overlapping one another, pivotally connected together, and

certain of said link being provided with lateral toothed cap-engaging lugs.

KYRLE FRANCIS SEALS. 

